jayhawk

At least it is still a car dealer. I tried to find on Google Maps my original dealership location and cannot even find it (probably due to highway routing or name change or something similar.) My dealer was Gubrud's Valley Datsun in Mt. Vernon, Washington, According to my logbook, I went through Chilliwak in 1974 in my 240Z and stopped for gas in adjacent Sardis. If I'd know about the models at the Chilliwak Datsun dealer, I certainly would have stopped by! (I'd just been discharged from the US Navy at the Oak Harbor WA Naval Air Station and was driving back to the Midwest via the Trans Canadian Highway. great trip!) My blue Z in line for the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, 1974

Hi Dadsun, welcome to the '73 club! The best year of all 240Zs! 😁 But the "worst of the flat top carb iterations.." was still a great carb, despite Z therapy and numerous mechanics who couldn't be bothered to learn about the SU HIF "Flat Top" carb design licensed by Hitachi that powered many sport cars for more than two decades. My 10/72 1973 240Z (S/N 125678) ran great in inland Los Angeles county heat for 117,000 miles before I fell for a mechanics spiel about how wonderful and superior the round tops were and I replaced them with round tops to "improve" my car. They did not. Thanks to Motorman7, my Z is now running again with the Flat tops and winning awards. See the thread "We're Bringin' back the Flat Tops" here at classiczcars. Good Luck on BAT. I'll be watching. (although I'm never selling my '73. it is Too Much Fun!) My Z shortly after I bought it in 1973 Inspected by Yoshihiko Matsuo at 2019 ZCON in Branson. Came in 2nd to Zup's '73 (also with Flattops!) Hitachi SU-HIF "Flat Tops"

Thanks Diseazd.

All three of his cars had the Hitachi SU-HIF "Flattops". And notice all the trophy's! That was one of the reasons I went to see him as I was contemplating the restoration of my '73. (which I finally accomplished by finding Motorman7 in 2018. See the thread "We're bringin; back the Flat Tops! https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/60309-were-bringin-back-the-flat-tops/ ) Now thanks to Motorman7, my '73 looks as good or better than his.

Mark, in 2005 (according to the metadata for the photo) while driving from California to Seattle, I stopped in Portland briefly to see a fellow who had 3 beautiful Zs ('73s like mine). His Zs had been the subject of an article in a Z magazine (Sport Z maybe?). Do you happen to know of him and the status of his collection? Thanks. you can PM me if you wish.

I think the one in the photo is a Nikon. I was an Asahi Pentax bigot. Still have that too!

Carl, I too got my 240Z while in the service and still have it. I had been lusting after one as soon as I read the 1970 Road and Track article, but finishing my degree, my draft notice from President Nixon (Greetings!...), and Navy service (and pay) got in the way until I returned in December 1972 from 11 months on Yankee Station (off N. Vietnam) with enough cash to buy one. It still took 4 months on the dealers wait list until April '73 before I could buy it. After the 240Z came out, no one, at least in my squadron, bought any other sports car. Here is a photo I took in December 1972 as our ship departed Japan returning to the US. I've annotated it with the model of Z each of us bought (eventually).

Those Porsche people always had too much money. Especially for a car shaped like a dung beetle...😄

Jim, thank you for your excellent advice and experience. I have been experimenting with a more personal storyboard that is heavy on pictures and light on text. It probably needs a little more simplification. What I really needs is a Gold Medallion award (for stock) from ZCON like your Gold Cup! (and maybe a couple of 1st place awards for anything.) I do have a 2nd place trophy from 2019 ZCON Branson is nice, but 2nd place on a storyboard just does not cut it...) I will exhibit the cool trophy, but hope nobody looks too close to the wording. 😄

Hi all. After seeing these views of my ‘73 240Z during Motorman7’s restoration of my ‘73 240Z, I decided to take a couple of years to show the car at Z events and some concours events before returning it to Daily Driver status and getting it dirty. 😄 We (Motorman7 and I) took it to 2019 ZCON Branson (2nd place to Zup in the stock category) and 2019 JCCS in Long Beach. After I brought it back home to N. California, I drove it to a Concours event outside Sacramento, where I was the only Japanese car there. There was a lot of interest in my Z from a lot of folks, but also a lot of ignorance about Datsuns from the bulk of the spectators. So I want to develop a poster about the impact of the Datsun 240Z for future concours shows. So I’m looking for recommendations for bullet points for a poster. My initial thoughts: Heading: The Legendary (maybe Iconic?) Datsun 240Z Launched in 1969 (1970 model year in the US) 1970 Base Price $3,526 Single Overhead Cam, 6 cylinder, 150 HP engine 4 wheel independent suspension Fastback design similar to Ferrari 275 GTB "Daytona" Superior performance but half the cost of a Porsche 911T (and FAR BETTER LOOKING!) Similar Performance to the $8,000 Porsche 911S (and still FAR BETTER LOOKING!) Instant Sales Success 150,000 sold in the US from 1970 through 1973 Months long wait lists to buy throughout production from 1970 to 1973 (I waited 4 months in 1973 to buy mine) Widely Acclaimed by auto magazines: Road and Track, April 1970: “The basic list price of the 240Z is $3526 and at this price it is a super-bargain, with a combination of styling, performance and handling far ahead of anything else under $4000 Car and Driver, June 1970: “The difference between the Datsun 240Z and your everyday three-and-a-half thousand dollar sports car is that about twice as much thinking went into the Datsun. It shows. For the money the 240Z is an almost brilliant car.“ Impact of of the Datsun 240Z Haggerty, January 2020: “The 240Z was an instant classic when it debuted in 1970. It was loved by the automotive press for being a modern, inexpensive sports car with impressive performance and was largely responsible for changing public perception of Japanese automakers." Haggerty,: "Dealers couldn’t keep 240Zs in showrooms. Demand was so high that the Kelly Blue Book value for a used 240Z was $500 over MSRP only one year after its release." Forbes 2020: “it was as if Datsun had launched the Sony Walkman of the car world or the Nintendo Gameboy of the gaming field. By 1973, the 240Z had sold around 150,000 units in the U.S., making it the most successful Japanese sports car ever, until the Mazda MX-5 arrived in 1989. ???? (looking for other referenced impact statements) Racing Success (looking for more info here as I am not a racing guru) Winner of the SCCA “C” Production Championship 10 consecutive years 1970 to 1979 (show photo of Paul Newman 1979 race car here?) East Africa Safari Rally winner 1971 and 1973 (photo of the winning 240Z here?) 3rd place 2019 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, Vintage / Classic group (may not use this as a 911 came in 2nd) What would the knowledgeable posters here change or add to show the impact of the Datsun 240Z and its successors? (I am especially interested in facts that would irritate Porsche people…:-)

Keeping it stock for assembly documentation is a good idea. But not being Pure means you don't have to go find rare/expensive parts also. (Ask me how I know...:-) Like some of the "unique to the '73" throttle linkages and carb water circulation parts. Posting questions here will probably be your best bet. You might want to consider attending next year's ZCON in Colorado Springs, where I'm sure there will be some pure stock or near stock '73s to check . (I do not know about the 2020 ZCON, but at the 2019 ZCON in Branson , '73 240Zs took first and second place in the Stock category. ) Have fun and keep posting about your project on this thread! (I bought my '73 in Mt Vernon, WA while I was in the Navy. Photos are of a Fun Run sponsored by that Datsun dealer in 1974 over the North Cascades Highway. Lots of great twisty roads in WA...)

I second Patcon's advice. Motorman7 restored my '73 to pure stock condition and we took it to ZCON Branson last year. Motorman's thread has lots of photos : As you assemble, post here with questions, and the knowledgeable folk here are sure to help. Then take it to a ZCON and really find out what you did right and wrong! 🙂t

Just found this thread after our conversation the other evening. Motorman, is the exhaust manifold similar to that out of my blue Z? Since this is even earlier than mine (a 10/72 car) does it also have the '72 style manifold vs the later manifold design?

Some old and new photos of my '73 240Z. (I am the original owner) My 240Z in 1973 1982, Daily Driver loved by our daughter . 2019: after restoration - loved by the next generation

Zup, we (Motorman7 with my '73) also got dinged a point for the bead blasted valve cover. However, in looking at your judging sheets, my calculator says you achieved 290 points, which is the level ("290 or above") for the Gold Medallion status. From the current ZCCA Judging Manual " All vehicles scoring a total overall score of two hundred and ninety (290) points or above in their respective class (except Daily Driver) are eligible to receive the Gold Medallion or Gold Cup achievement award of excellence for their efforts." I know they did not announce that for you at ZCON, but have you received that since? I hope so, you deserve it!

I recently researched the issue in California of removing the smog equipment. California exempts pre-1976 cars from smog testing (so a 1975 280Z is exempt) and has no rules or regulations forbidding removal of smog equipment from those cars. HOWEVER, the federal Clean Air Act of 1972? does forbid removal or modification of smog equipment on all cars of any year. The EPA is not trying to enforce that against individuals, but they are pursuing action against manufactures of parts that result in the removal or modification of smog equipment. So as an individual you are probably safe, if your state exempts your vehicle from smog testing.

The entry fee was only $80, which included car, owner, and co-pilot, and breakfast and lunch (with wine/beer) in the Entrant's Pavilion. But tickets for spectators were $55 at the door, or $45 if purchased at any of the Neillo (sponsoring dealership group) dealers around Sacramento. Those spectator prices scared away all of my relatives who might have come by. There were no charities involved, so I'm surprised at the high spectator prices. I was somewhat disappointed that there were no Triumphs or MGs at this show. Maybe another event for them that weekend. I did see a couple of classic MGs coming down Highway 50 from Lake Tahoe the next day, so maybe there was something there, or in Reno. In any event, it was a lot of fun talking with Z fans at a show where Bentley and Porsche were the featured Marques.

OK, tried my hand at my first Concours (not counting ZCON). Entered the Neillo Concours at the Serano country club in El Dorado Hills, CA this last Sunday. Drove my '73 240Z (restored my Motorman7) up from my home in the East Bay suburbs of San Francisco, about 100 miles one way, mostly on Interstate 80. I was in the Foreign Sports Cars, 1963 to 1979, Under $5,000 class. There were only 2 cars in the category, mine and a Volvo 1800. No MGs or Triumphs, which surprised me. All the Concours in N. California are judges by the SCCA San Francisco Region, which does not provide judging sheets ever. So other than what feedback you can get from the judges when they are at your car, you never get any information of how or why they scored your car. I do know that they subtracted points for one of my headlights (original Koitos) that did not have a working low beam, probably took off points for a pinhole leak they noticed on the radiator, and a loose Datsun emblem on the hood. So I came in 2nd to a '66 Volvo 1800 from a fellow who had survived the Paradise CA fire last year, and had photos showing the Volvo on a trailer being towed through clouds of orange smoke. (His very nice wife told us of the 5 hour traffic jam trying to get out of Paradise with the fire on their heels!) He also had photos of his burned out house and his 5 other destroyed classic cars there. Sort of hard to beat that for tie breaker points... I'm guessing the judges did not know anymore about Volvos than Datsuns, and can only judge on paint quality, cleanliness, obvious problems, the light and safety checks. Originality is likely hard to know for judges not familiar with a brand or model. So I got 2nd place. Out of 200 cars (heavy with Bentleys, Porches, antique Rolls Royces etc) mine was the only Japanese car there. When getting my 2nd place trophy at the reviewing stand (on foot, only first place winners got to drive past) they said something about hoping for more Japanese "Domestic" cars at their events. There were some cheers from the audience in the reviewing stands when they announced a Datsun getting a trophy. So there is that. (no cheers for the Volvo...:-) Made me wish they had a Peoples Choice award! This was the last Concours of the year in N. California, so I think I'll keep trying for a while. And I'm thinking of volunteering to be a SCCA judge and see if we can get more involvement with the Japanese car community. "If you can't beat em, join 'em"

Just saw this thread, thanks to Motorman7's recent post. My car was just restored by Motorman7 and we took it to ZCON in Branson (which has a Stock judging category) and also to JCCS last Saturday. It was no surprise that my '73, which barely missed 1st place at ZCON in the Stock category, did not get a sniff at JCCS. And the car Motorman7 restored just before mine, did not get anything at the new northern California Golden Week Kyusha Festival held May 4th in Richmond, CA. That car has also been to a couple of Concours events this summer, and found that the judges (from the SCCA SF Bay area region) do not have any experience with classic Japanese cars. I had Motorman7 restore my Z to stock, not because I was looking for trophies, but for a (Highly Successful!) attempt to recapture my youth. But, thanks to Motorman, I do want to show the world what a wonderful car the original Z was. and so I am taking it to both Japanese classic car shows and local Concours events. And having too much fun doing that. (just ask my wife...) The last Concours of the season in N. California is in Sacramento (Neillo Concours Serano at El Dorado Hills), and the only traditional Concours I can get to this year. I plan on having fun there too, and may bringing a little more visibility for classic Japanese car to that stuffy old crowd. I will report. 1973, two weeks after I bought it. Near Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington Daily Driver 1973 to 1988. 1983, Irvine, CA: Loved by the whole family... 1990ish to 2007: Being Preserved for Restoration (yeah, that's what I'm calling t!) N. California 2007 to 2018: a better "preservation" location At ZCON, 2019: Motorman7's work being judged. 287 points! 2019 at JCCS, no awards, but LOTS of interest. Back home! Still loved by the whole family

Now the Z is back home in N. California. I'll be driving it to local shows for the next year or two. I'll be at the Neillo Concours Serano at the El Dorado Hills country club in Sacramento on Sunday, Oct 6th. It seems to me that these concours events value originality and authenticity more than the japanese car events. But most concours events seem to be more focused on old European and American iron. I'm just going to see if I can get my Datsun up close to some antique Rolls. Bet I get bigger crowds! Finally home. Need to get a anti door ding barrier built, and some netting for the shelves to protect against the next quake...

MBZ, thanks for stopping by and the kind words. Motorman7 and Miguel have done magic with my Z and when I get in it, I feel like I'm 24 years old again. (my age when I bought that Z in '73. Hope that doesn't make me "museum quality") ?

My Vintage Dash discussed earlier in this thread is now installed in my '73. Here is how it looks now. (Installed by Motorman7)

My '73 when new in '73 (from a Kodachrome slide that was digitized a couple of years ago) plus s From a 1971 or '72 brochure. Looks like a photo of the '70 steering wheel. (just scanned in today) 3 From a 11-72 brochure for the '73 240Z (scanned today)

Today on the Facebook S30 group page is a post from an Australian titled "Flat Tops FTW ?". The post was just a video of a walk around of a smoothly running right hand drive 240/260Z with the Flat tops shown at the end of the video. Looks like they are getting some international love. https://www.facebook.com/groups/480008718866422/permalink/1132514976949123/

Props tonMiguel and the Datsun community! do they have a stock class?...